In the last decades of the 20th century, churches all over the world started to reflect on the effects and the challenges of economic globalization. This report is not meant to give a thorough analysis, but to provide a quick overview of the reflection taking place within the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and such sister organizations as the Conference of European Churches (Cec), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Covenanting for justice in the economy and the earth

In 1992, a letter to member churches from the Warc executive committee called for a study on faith and economic life and signalled that worldwide economic injustice would be high on the agenda of the Alliance. Consultations in Manila, Kitwe (Zambia), San José (Costa Rica) and Geneva in 1995 and 1996 examined the connections between Reformed faith and economic justice. On the basis of this programme, a study text was written for the 23rd general council (Debrecen 1997).

Debrecen issued a call to member churches to engage at all levels of their life in a process of recognition, education and confession regarding economic injustice and ecological destruction.

In its eighth assembly (Harare 1998) the WCC expressed its appreciation for this Warc initiative and encouraged its member churches to join the process.

Consequences of economic globalization (Bangkok 1999)

The first step in the cooperation between the Alliance and the WCC was the symposium on the consequences of economic globalization in Bangkok, Thailand (November 1999), preceded by a mini-symposium on globalization and the Asian crisis in Seoul, Korea.

The consultation formulated six messages to the IMF, the World Trade Organization (WTO), transnational capital, the civil authorities and the religious communities in Thailand, and churches in the global north.

In 2001, Cec and the LWF joined in the process. Further consultations were organized together with regional and national ecumenical organizations. The Roman Catholic church was also actively involved.

Serve God, not Mammon (Budapest 2001)

In June 2001, churches from central and eastern Europe met in Budapest to discuss with their ecumenical partners the effects of globalization on their societies.

The island of hope (Fiji 2001)

The consultation in Nadi, Fiji in August 2001 was a global consultation with an emphasis on the Pacific region. Global warming was highlighted as major problem, not only for the Pacific

Economy in the service of life (Soesterberg 2002)

A western European consultation was held in Soesterberg, the Netherlands in June 2002. It paid special attention to the role of international financial flows and international financial institutions.

The ecumenical coalition for alternatives to globalization

The growing cooperation between ecumenical organizations based in Geneva led to the formation in 2000 of an ecumenical coalition for alternatives to globalization (ECAG), in which the Alliance participates.

"Our vision is one that seeks to restore the place of people as the centre of all human life, respects a system where all of God's creation to exist with their God given rights, to create an alternative economic paradigm, which ensures the fullness of life for the whole of creation, and a 'new creation' wherein a God-given life is guaranteed, economic justice is assured, and there is peaceful and harmonious coexistence between humans and humankind and the rest of Gods creation," ECAG says.